Submarine sound-signaling apparatus.



E. G. WOOD.

SUBMARINE SOUND SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1906. 1,035,291.

WITNESSES; A@ @M w, ATTORN WITNEssEa w MKZ/f2 E. C. WOOD. SUBMARINB SOUND SIGNALINQ APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1906.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

fNVENToR.

i UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE.

EDWARD C. WOOD, F SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SUBMARINE SIGNAL COMPANY, 0F 'WA'.LERVILLEy MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINIE.

f i SUBMARINE SOUND-SIGNALING APPARATUS.

Speeication of Letters Patent. Patnted Aug, 13, 1912, Application led .Tune 20, 1906. Serial No. 322,603.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD C. WooD, of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Submarine Sound-Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is' a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatusk for producing submarine sound signals such as 1s used for giving.' warning and directing `signals to ships approaching the coast and for signaling-'between s ips at sea.;

and it relates especially to that class of submarine signaling apparatus'in which the sound is produced-by blows-delivered by a striker upona submerged' resonating body, for` examplera The obJect of myinvention. is to produce a simple andl reliable,selfcontained apparatus of this class suitableto be suspended in the waterV from a` li ht-ship or other structure and which can. e maintained permanently submerged without injury and which can be o erated automatically or by hand from a- 'l tant point for example, from the deck ,ofaship or trom the shore,

' so as to sound code signals.-

For operatin m apparatus I prefer to use compresser? air though other fluids mi ht be employed; and-for the resonating bo y I 1preferfto use a-bell provided with an interna tongue orstriker.

In submarine si aling apparatus of this class pistons have een. employed to actuate thestriker and to avoid serious losses from friction, from the weight or leakage of the piston it has been found necessary to give it a relatively long stroke. This requires that the bell-crank on which the striker is suspended carry a horizontal arm so long that the attached piston rod must pass through a hole at one side of the crown of the bell; and .this construction'not only weakens the bell, but prevents its bein turned around from time to time so as to ring a new surface to lbe struck by the striker as couldbe done if the piston rod were passed up through a hole in the center of the crown of the bell. In order to bring a new surface into serv- -ice whenever the striking 'point becomes ameter o eratable by compressed air at comparative y low pressure, I have invented a structure in which the striker is actuated by a central actua-ting rod, operated by a flexible diaphragm operable by compressed air at comparatively low compression, thus obviating losses by leakage of the working Huid, and incombination with this I have devised special mechanism for varyino` the pressure upon the diaphragm controllable yfrom a distant point either by hand ofautomatlc means.

KMy invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichy Figure 1 is a" vertical section of the bell a'ndVst-rikingl apparatus. Fig. 2 is a secclearly`the main valve and the auxilia diaphragm `for shifting'it. Fio. 3 is a horizontal section' on line 3 3 o F ig. 1, and

VFig. 4 is adiagram illustrating the auxiliary valve, the code mechanism, and their: connect-ion with the apparatus shown in the other tigu es. p

A, A1 is the case of the apparatus on the lower nd of `which is rigidly mounted the bell B tional detail, enlarged, `illustrating more C is the striker which is carried on the i lower end of the long arm c of a bellcrank lever, the short arm c1 of which is pivotally connected to the bottom of the pu -rod D. The bell-crank lever is pivoted' at c2 to alu c3 hanging from the coupling c* by whicii the bell is connected with the lower portion- A1 of the case.

E is the main diaphragm which is circular in form and is made. of rubber, leather or similar flexible ma aerial. The diaphragm is clamped at its outer edge betweenthe metal plate F and the ring F1.

At its center it is clamped between the lates d and d1 which are mounted on the iaphragm rod D1.- For this purpose the upper end of` the diaphragm rod is reduced in. diameter and threaded. A shoulder is thus formed upon which t-he under platedl rests and against which both plates and the x diaphragm 4are clamped by nuts d. The diaphragm rod D1 is connected with the pull-rod D by-means of a coupling compris# mg a cup-shaped nut da perforated at the bottom to fit over the end of the pull-rod D and slide thereon. It is prevented fromgbeing pulled oil the pull-rod by a nut dn: The

end to engage the threaded exterior of the bottom of the diaphragm rod D1. A spring d lies within this coupling between the lower end of the diaphragm rod D1 and the upper end of the pulll'rod and keeps these, two parts normally separated, but allows a slight back lash to the pull-rod so that after it has pulled the striker C into contact with the bell B the striker may have a slightrebound to prevent its deadening the vibrations of the bell. The plate F as shown is supported on rods f mounted upon the partition A2 which divides the chamber withinthe easing A, A1 into t-wo chambers G 'and H. The result of this construction above described is that when the flexible diaphragm E is moved it-movesthe pull-rod and gives'the striker a correspond-in stroke, the posit-ion of .the diaphragm c anging from that shown in' full lines in Fig. l to that shownin dotted lines therein.

The chamber Gr in the lower part A1 of the case is kept supplied with compressed air through the pipe g which may be connected with a source of compressed air J by means of a flexible tube g1, such for example, as a rubber hose. The chamber H is connected through an outwardly-opening check-valve with the pipe t1'which serves as an escape or exhaust for the. air from the chamber H and may be connected through a flexible tube h2 with the atmosphere or with an air reservoir at low pressure. This chains ber H is also connected with the chamber upon the open side of the diaphragm. As a matter of convenience the two tubes may be fastened together except Vat their ends. The chamber H and the chamber above the diaphragm are always connected.

To prevent leakage from the chamber G to the chamber H around t-he pull-rod, I provide a metal tube H1 which is connected with the bottom of the casing A1 and with the partition A2 and within this tube I provide also a cylindrical casing H2 which extends down into the chamber in the tube H1 and surrounds the pull-rod D. A rubber tube I-l3 is wired int-o grooves d in the pullrod D, its lower end being clamped by a conical threaded plu(y into the bottom of the casing H1. All the ]oints inthe casing are suitably packed to prevent leakage from one chamber to the other.

The lower chamber G within the casing is a compressr-fl air reservoir, being as is shown above, connected at all times with a compressed air tank J or other source'of pressure, and the pull-rod is -given an upward vertical stroke to give the signal by the intrbduction of compressed air from 'this chamber under the diaphragm E and then exhausting the air therefrom so that the 'parts may resume their original position.

To control vthe air pressure beneath the diapnr'agmy E I have provided. a valve Knormal'ly resting upon a seat in the bottom of the, valve chamber k. This valve chamber is connected with the reservoir G by means of I the tube K1. Below the valve seat is a pasm sage k1 so directed that it will discharge air beneath, the diaphragm E so as to lift thediaphragm. When the valve is oil? its's'eat', as shown in both Figs. 1 and 2, it will be 'seen that the compressed air can pass directly from. the reservoir G to 'the valve chamber 7c, from thence ,around the valve and into the passage k1 to the under side otf"v the diaphragm and, if the pressure is suflicient, the diaphragm will be lifted, thus lifting the pull-rod and causing the striker to strike the bell. When the valve is in its lower position, however, this is'impossible` for the connection between the valve cham-` ber which is always connected with the reservoir G and the passage k1 will be closed. To lift the valve'I provide a dia-I phragm L of ordinary construction on which is mounted a slide-rod k2 the upper end of which engages a collar k7 carried by the 90 valve stem k3, connected with the pipe h1 so that as impulses ofycomp'ressed air are A sent from the air tank J "through this pipe the diaphragm will'be lifted, thus lifting.V

the valve K. I prefer to have "an extensible 95 l i joint between the diaphragm and th,e,valve in order to avoid such re-ad-justment 'from time to. time as mightbenecessary if the parts were rigidly connected. The com.-l pressed 4'air after it is exhausted fru'nder 100 the diaphragm'E passes on into the exhaust chamben H.' The ports 7c* areiclosed by the slide-rod 'zg when the valve itself is. off its seat and open when the valve is closed,`thus allowing the air to pass from the assage k1" 105 around the valve stem k3 which 1s reduced forthe purpose and out through the'ports Al:4 into the exhaust chamber H. An extension of this valve stem passing through the slide-rod carries a. head 7:5 between which 11o and the bottom of the slide rod is a spring k6 which insures the closing of the valve when the diaphragm recedes. When the pressure in this exhaust chamber-is sufficient it will open the check-valve h and .1.15

allow the escape of air backward through the pipe h1 and tube h2 to the exhaust 1n the shore apparatus whatever that may be s0 that the same pipe or tube serves to conveyl the impulses of compressed air by which the apparatus is operated and also as the exhaust for the aix-by which motor power 1s supplied to sound the'bell. As a means of operating this bell to give code signalsl have shown an apparatus 1n Flg. 4 which 1s 4125 satisfactory for the purpose. lt comprises in addition to the air tank J and the pipes which have already been described a slide valve M sliding in a cylinder M1 having ports m, m1 and m2. The port m is the` 130 ithrough the tube m3 and tube g1.

n2 on the code wheel n3.

'a gear p1 formed upon inlet and connects directly with the tank J The port m1 connects directly with the tube ha, and the port m2 connects with the tube mf which is the exhaust. W'hen the valve is in the position shown in Fig. l the exhaust chamber of the signaling apparatus is connected (provided there is enough pressure therein to. open the check-valve la) through the port m1 and port m2 with the atmosphere so that the pressure therein may be `reduced according to the pressure at which the check-valve is set. Vhen the valve M, however, is at the other end of its stroke it will be seen that the tank J is connected through the port m'and port m1 and tube h2 and pipe h1 with the under side of the diaphragm L so that the diaphragm is lifted and lifts the valve K, thus allowing the air to pass from the air reservoir G to the valve chamber Je, and out through the passagejc1 to the under side of the diaphragm E lift ing the diaphragm and causing the pull-rod to operate the striker to strike the bell. A spring as shown at m5 or any other convenient means may be employed to operate the valve M so that after being moved from its position shown in Fig. 4 to its lowest position it will return to the position shown in Fi 4. Its stroke should be momentary and e instant it has returned the air below the diaphragm E will scribed and the parts normal positions.

To depress the valve M at the proper times any convenient form of code mechanism may be used. I have shown a lever N pivoted at n and having at its other end a cam surface nl which engages with the projections This code wheel ai is rotated by means of a shaft P operated from any suitable source of power and having a Worm p at one end adapted to engage or connected with exhaust as above de'-l wlll all resume thelr the code wheel as. y

l, The t-ubes 7a2 and g1 may each be provided with suitable stop-cocks to shut olf the air When the apparatus is out ot' commission, and the tank J is connected with a suitable air compressor by means of the pipe J1.

It is unnecessary to describe the operation of the apparatus in view of the description Of the details of the mechanism above given.

The apparatus as a whole may be suspended by a chainvor in any other desirable Way either fromfa buoy or a light-ship. In the former case the tank and apparatus for supplying compressed air are preferably Iocated at the shore station near by. In the litter case they may be located on the light s 1p.

I prefer to provide a spring Ellocated between the under side of the platev F and the upper side of a collar on the end of the iaphragm rod D1 which 4'spring will be connecting the compressed as the pull-rod is raised by the diaphragm and will assist in returning the pull-rod and hence the diaphragm to its original and hence inactive position.

It is obvious that changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the claims.

that I claim as my invention is:-

l. An apparatus ot' the character des scribed comprising a motor having a pressure chamber, an exhaust chamber, a fluid pressure operated controlling valve, an escape pipe, leading from said exhaust chamber, am` also communicating with said valve, and means pcrmittirm` the passage of fluid pressure through said pipe to said valve without entering said exhaust chamber, whereby said escape pipe serves also as means for transn'litting fluid pressure impulses to said valve.

2. An apparatus of thc character described comprising a. motor having a pressure chamber adapted to confine an elastic fluid, an exhaust chamber, a flexible diaphragm having the space upon its side constantly in communication with the exhaust chamber, a main valve adapted to connect the other side alternately with the pressure chamber and with the exhaust chamber, an escape pipe leading from said exhaust chamber, a checkvalve opening outward from the exhaust chamber into said escape-pipe, a shifting dcvice for the main valve communicating with the said escape pipe, and means for intermittently raising the pressure in the escape pipe for actuating the shifting device.

3. A motor comprising in combination a diaphragm, a pressure chamber, an e'xhaust chamber, means for connecting saidchambers alternately with one side of said diaf phragm comprising a valve and a diaphragn'x connected thereto, a .source of supply of compressed fluid permanentlyconneeted to said pressure chamber, and means connecting the under side oi said valve-controlling diaplnragn'l with said compressed fluid supply comprising a tube containing a check-valve located in said exhaust chamber, whereby when said check-valve is under pressure it will complete the connection between said compressed tlnid supply and the under side o't said valve-controlling diaphragm and when it is opened it will make possible the escape of Huid from said exhaust chamber.

,4. A motor comprising in combination a diaphragm suitably mounted,` a.v pressure chamber, an exhaust chamber means for connecting said chambers alternately with one side of said diaphragm comprising a valve and adiaphragm connected thereto, a source of compressed fluid permanently connected to said pressure chamber, and means under side of said valve-con- "ing alephmgm with said compleesed said compressed luid chambe with one side ,Y .l supply eompising a tube contanmg a of said diaphragm, as descmbed. cheek-valve located normally to connect said V lube with seid exhaust chmber and adapted EDTNRD C' y 00D' te be closed by ujn increase of pressure in In the presence ofemol tube Wheeby geld valve dlephragm Wlll JOHN E. R. HAYES. be operaed iol 0pm sal valve and Connect M. E. FLAHERTY.

epes; el me- @ln'e fer ve eents ech, by addressing the 'Sommissoner o Patents "Washington, E. 

